OSU’s Red-Zone Effectiveness Made the Difference Against K-State

Last week I wrote about the Cowboys’ struggles at scoring touchdowns once they make it into the red-zone. 

Coming into the Kansas State game, Oklahoma State was nursing its second-worst “ppr” (points per red-zone attempt) in the last nine years at 4.37. The worst was 2014 at 4.21.

As the Cowboys tried their hardest to lose to Kansas State, there was one area in which the offense was perfect. They scored a touchdown on all three trips to the red zone. Ben Grogan didn’t attempt a single field goal for the first time this season.

This increases their PPR to 4.46, moving them ahead of the 2009 team (4.43) for the time being.

Here’s the updated list.

• 2016 – 4.46 ppr
• 2015 – 4.75 ppr
• 2014 – 4.21 ppr
• 2013 – 4.86 ppr
• 2012 – 4.79 ppr
• 2011 – 4.61 ppr
• 2010 – 4.87 ppr
• 2009 – 4.43 ppr
• 2008 – 4.74 ppr

Late in the first quarter, Jalen McCleskey caught a 12-yard pass and tip toed into the end zone to put OSU on the board after they had fallen behind 13-0. Then late in the second quarter, James Washington got in from the 3-yard line to give the Cowboys their 21-16 halftime lead.

The most impressive may have been Chris Carson’s monster 17-yard run to put the Pokes up for good. That’s right. The one where he walked upright carrying two defenders into the end zone.

Three red-zone trips that led to 22 points (that last one saw McCleskey “air it out” to Rennie Childs for a two-point conversion).

So with all the craziness that occurred in that game, the Cowboys had success in one key area that made a big difference in the win/loss column.